The office was completely silent.
No one moved.
No one even dared breathe too loudly.
Adrian Kade's words still hung in the air like a sudden thunderstorm.
"Who gave you permission… to touch my woman?"
Vanessa Kade's confident smile slowly disappeared.
For the first time since entering the room, she looked uncertain.
"Adrian," she said carefully, "I think you misunderstood."
Adrian stepped further into the department.
His footsteps were calm.
Controlled.
But every step felt heavy.
Dangerous.
Employees quickly stepped aside, clearing a path for him.
Adrian stopped beside Lina.
His eyes moved slowly to the red mark on her cheek.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Did she do this?" he asked quietly.
Lina opened her mouth but hesitated.
She had never expected Adrian to appear.
And she definitely hadn't expected him to say something like that.
Before Lina could answer, Vanessa spoke.
"She was being disrespectful," Vanessa said coldly. "I simply reminded her how things work in this company."
Adrian slowly turned his head toward Vanessa.
His gaze was calm.
But there was something frightening behind it.
"By slapping employees?"
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Don't exaggerate."
Adrian said nothing for a moment.
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief.
He handed it to Lina.
"Hold this against your cheek."
Lina blinked in surprise.
"I'm fine."
"Do it."
His tone left no room for argument.
Lina slowly pressed the cloth to her cheek.
The office remained silent.
Everyone was watching.
Adrian finally spoke again.
"Vanessa."
"Yes?"
"You forget something."
Vanessa frowned slightly.
"And what is that?"
Adrian's voice was calm.
"I am the CEO."
The words fell heavily into the room.
Vanessa's eyes hardened.
"I know that."
"Then you should also know something else."
Adrian's gaze sharpened.
"No one in this company disciplines employees except me."
Vanessa scoffed lightly.
"Are you really making a big issue out of this girl?"
The room felt colder.
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he looked around the office slowly.
His presence alone made everyone uncomfortable.
Then he spoke again.
"Everyone return to your work."
The employees moved instantly.
No one wanted to remain part of the confrontation.
Within seconds, the department looked busy again, though everyone was secretly listening.
Adrian turned back to Vanessa.
"You should go back to your office."
Vanessa's pride was clearly wounded.
"Adrian—"
"That wasn't a suggestion."
The tone in his voice made her stop.
Vanessa's eyes moved toward Lina again.
Her gaze was now filled with clear hostility.
"This isn't over," she said quietly.
Then she turned and walked out of the department, her heels striking the floor sharply.
The moment she disappeared, the tension in the room loosened slightly.
But Lina's heart was still racing.
Adrian was still standing beside her.
Too close.
Much too close.
"You should come with me," he said calmly.
"Why?"
"You work for me now."
Lina hesitated.
"I thought the transfer wasn't official yet."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"It is now."
Without waiting for her reply, he began walking toward the exit.
Lina sighed quietly and followed him.
The entire department watched them leave.
Sarah's mouth was wide open.
The elevator ride to the executive floor was silent.
Lina stood on one side.
Adrian stood on the other.
Neither spoke.
But the air between them was heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Finally, Lina broke the silence.
"You shouldn't have said that."
Adrian didn't look at her.
"Said what?"
"That I'm your woman."
The elevator continued rising.
Adrian finally turned his head slightly.
"It stopped Vanessa."
"That's not the point."
"What is the point?"
Lina crossed her arms.
"You created a misunderstanding."
Adrian's lips curved faintly.
"Did I?"
"Yes."
Adrian looked at her more directly now.
"Then correct it."
"What?"
"Tell everyone I was lying."
Lina opened her mouth.
But no words came out.
Adrian watched her carefully.
Then he leaned slightly closer.
His voice lowered just enough that only she could hear it.
"But if you do…"
"…you'll have to explain why I spent ten years looking for you."
Lina's heart skipped.
"You wouldn't."
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"Try me."
The elevator stopped.
The doors opened.
Adrian stepped out first.
Then he turned and looked at her.
"For now," he said calmly, "you should focus on your new job."
Lina frowned.
"What job?"
Adrian walked toward his office.
His voice reached her from over his shoulder.
"Personal assistant."
Lina's eyes widened.
"I never agreed to that!"
Adrian stopped at his office door.
Then he looked back at her with the faintest hint of amusement.
"You don't need to."
He opened the door slowly.
And delivered the final sentence that made Lina's stomach drop.
"Because starting tomorrow…"
"…you'll be moving into my penthouse."